Thomas Stanley Smith

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Thomas Stanley Smith, 77, on Friday, March 10, 2023. Tom was predeceased by his parents, Vester Stanley Smith and Ruby Mae Smith, his sister, Frances Smith Patrick, and his brother-in-law, Robert R. Ruff, Jr. Tom is survived by his precious wife, Ann Smith; his brother, Earl Terry Smith; nephew Gregory Malcolm Smith (of Fort Walton Beach, FL); niece, Kimberly Smith Klenk (of MacClenny, FL); children through marriage Susan Wolfrey Hinz (of McKinney, TX) and Robert K. Wolfrey (of Spotsylvania, VA); and grandchildren Elizabeth Hinz (of Ft. Worth, TX) and Wilson Hinz (of Denton, TX).

Tom retired from a 36-year career at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren, VA in January 2004 as a Senior Program Manager / Ordinance Technology Manager supporting the Office of Naval Research. Just prior to his retirement, he was presented the Superior Civilian Service Award and a medal for his leadership and participation in national collaborative ordnance technology projects such as Mission Responsive Ordnance, Hypersonic Weapons Technology, Advanced Energetic Materials and the DoD Modelling and Simulation Initiative. The highlight of his career was leading a project to provide ordnance for the Strategic Defense Initiative Delta-180 Vector Sum Experiment, which successfully proved the feasibility of intercepting and destroying a powered vehicle in space.

After retiring from NSWC, Tom worked part-time for several years as a Senior Systems Engineer at BAE Systems, Dahlgren. While his career was focused on warheads, explosives, ordnance technologies and the destruction of air and surface targets… his alter-ego and personal time was focused on preservation, restoration, architecture and collecting.

Tom also served on numerous committees, tasks forces and boards devoted to improving the quality of life in Downtown Fredericksburg, including serving as Vice President of Downtown Retail Marketing, Inc. In recent years, through involvement with Fredericksburg VA Main Street, he participated in efforts focused on reconnecting downtown with the river… driven by his love of downtown Fredericksburg! He also enjoyed travelling, gardening, family events … and especially his grandkids!! Tom will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mullinsthompsonfredericksburg.com for the Smith family.